Imageshack Links Installing Malware, Blocked on Wowhead

We've gotten a number of reports in the last week or so indicating that Imageshack is inadvertently installing malware on user's computers!

While we recognize that this MAY be a false positive, we don't like to take risks with our users' info, so we are blocking imageshack links on the site. Future imageshack links will be scrambled, and links will not go through!

For those of you who are hosting your images with imageshack, we apologize for the inconvenience. In the meantime, we encourage you to use an alternative image-hosting solution, like imgur, Min.us, or CloudApp.

Comments

Comment by Hoddie

on 2011-02-03T14:43:36-06:00

Still doesn't change the fact that IE handles CSS differently than standards compliant browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Opera. Therefore, IE is crap.

IE passed the Acid2 test in March 2009 I think, and while it was the last mainstream browser to do so, it was only about 6 months after Firefox, which itself was about 3 years after the first browser to do so. IE is only problematic for developers with regard to CSS if they're trying to ensure backwards compatiability for all those who are unable or unwilling to update to the latest versions. And with a little experience it's not so difficult to do.

You can get some pretty nifty results using CSS3 on FireFox and Opera (and maybe Chrome, I don't test on that yet), but in truth CSS3 support is still extremely patchy across the board.

Comment by camicio

on 2011-02-05T09:37:28-06:00

Retarded, just let users choose whether they want to "risk" it instead of this comment purging @#$%.

Comment by Interest

on 2011-02-05T10:02:09-06:00

Retarded, just let users choose whether they want to "risk" it instead of this comment purging @#$%.

Uh. No. I actually prefer they give a damn about the users.

Be glad they don't block off hyperlinks entirely like on the Official Forums.

Comment by farsightxr20

on 2011-02-09T06:31:38-06:00

Uh. No. I actually prefer they give a damn about the users.

Be glad they don't block off hyperlinks entirely like on the Official Forums.

A lot of users are experienced enough to not get malware. In fact, the ones reporting malware coming from imageshack most likely do not know much about online security, which is a good indicator that perhaps they're mis-placing the blame in the first place.

It looks like the change is affecting old posts, too, which really sucks. Tons of good comments are now rendered pointless because a few people don't know how to use a decent browser. It should, at the very least, be a configuration option.

Comment by Georgiepoo

on 2011-02-09T23:43:59-06:00

Uh. No. I actually prefer they give a damn about the users.

Be glad they don't block off hyperlinks entirely like on the Official Forums.

A lot of users are experienced enough to not get malware. In fact, the ones reporting malware coming from imageshack most likely do not know much about online security, which is a good indicator that perhaps they're mis-placing the blame in the first place.

It looks like the change is affecting old posts, too, which really sucks. Tons of good comments are now rendered pointless because a few people don't know how to use a decent browser. It should, at the very least, be a configuration option.

It is never the victim's fault that someone takes advantage of their ignorance, weakness, or vulnerability. I could slippery slope this argument all to hell but I think we'd all be better off if I didn't. Lets correctly place the blame on the attacker, where it belongs. ;)

That said, I do agree that our friends at wowhead went a little too far. They should be commended for their actions in trying to protect their users, but I think a good compromise would be to redirect the link to a page explaining the risk when clicked, and from there letting them continue on if they still wish. This gives the user the choice to engage in risky behavior or not by allowing them to give a type of informed consent. Then after this all blows over (I'm sure, if this is indeed true, that imageshack is another victim here) and imageshack corrects the problem all the redirects can be silently removed and everything goes back to its old behavior.

The encouragement of using alternative image hosting companies will likely help in the long run just in case this kind of thing happens again. Also, I personally recommend people use some form of ad-blocking solution since a lot of these issues of attacks through big name sites are because of third party ad content. Just whitelist those domains you wish to support and that don't use these types of third party ad systems.

Comment by StaticLgtBrngr

on 2011-02-11T12:16:35-06:00

Hmm, interesting.

Cheers for the alternate site links, those look much nicer than imageshack anyway so will be using those from now on.

Comment by StaticLgtBrngr

on 2011-02-11T12:23:55-06:00

Also, I personally recommend people use some form of ad-blocking solution since a lot of these issues of attacks through big name sites are because of third party ad content.

If you are running firefox then the noscript and flashblock addons add a nice layer of security as it prevents scripts from running on webpages you visit without your consent, thus preventing malware from auto installing from visiting a link.

Comment by 4kdust

on 2011-02-11T13:16:28-06:00

I've talked to ImageShack support team. It looks the virus was caused by a bad ad. It was identified and removed from rotation already. Please unban ImageShack..

Comment by Adamsm

on 2011-02-11T13:25:21-06:00

I've talked to ImageShack support team. It looks the virus was caused by a bad ad. It was identified and removed from rotation already. Please unban ImageShack.

Lol.

Comment by Dwarfiesgosquish

on 2011-02-11T13:36:49-06:00

I've talked to ImageShack support team. It looks the virus was caused by a bad ad. It was identified and removed from rotation already. Please unban ImageShack.

What the hell?

Comment by Interest

on 2011-02-11T14:03:00-06:00

what?

The reason for the responses is because you just joined. The credibility of such posts is generally minimal. I suggest the Imageshack team contacts Wowhead about this.

Comment by 4kdust

on 2011-02-11T14:04:46-06:00

Fair enough.

Comment by minusinc

on 2011-02-14T03:15:26-06:00

Be sure to register for a free account on http://Min.us as we're launching some new user profile features soon!

Comment by Skreeran

on 2011-02-14T10:53:23-06:00

Can we get an update on the status?

It's been banned for almost two weeks now, and there's been no word on whether it's fixed or if there are still further problems.

Do you plan on keeping Imageshack banned forever?

Comment by Interest

on 2011-02-14T11:19:11-06:00

Did this thread break or something? Can't see some posts.

Comment by Adamsm

on 2011-02-14T11:21:27-06:00

Hm, error with the thread.....

Comment by Stigploger16

on 2011-02-14T19:44:03-06:00

Dont care what wowhead.com says.

Its #$%^ing annoing that you have blocked it.!

Many posts in here who are high rated have the link with imageshack, omfg and then you block it ? idiots tbh.

Comment by Ryonis

on 2011-02-14T23:36:09-06:00

I've been using a hosts file for a long time so I almost never see ads unless I whitelist them (like wowhead) or they are trust-able.

Comment by Nagousta

on 2011-02-15T03:06:51-06:00

I suggest the Imageshack team contacts Wowhead about this.

Why would imageshack do this? They are a site that serves millions of images every day, all over the internet. It is one of the top 100 sites in the world (89th atm). Wowhead is 634th.

That said, I'm sure that the admins here are monitoring the situation and are ready to fire those images back up as soon as the threat has passed.

Comment by ImageShack

on 2011-02-16T14:10:25-06:00

Thank you for reporting this matter. We have identified and removed the offending content. It was coming from an indirect source: an ad network that was unintentionally distributing it on our site. We take these matters very seriously at ImageShack. We are working with our partners to ensure the safest possible environment for media hosting and sharing.

Contact us at is-support@imageshack.us with any further questions or comments.